Citizens of certain countries are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). For these individuals, the government of Canada has introduced what is known as electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Before the introduction of the eTA system, foreign nationals who were visa-exempted seeking entry to Canada were only systematically screened for admissibility once they arrived at a Canadian Port of Entry.
What is an eTA?
The eTA is mandatory for most visitors from countries whose citizens do not require a TRV to enter Canada by air. Citizens of visa-exempt countries intending to travel to Canada by air must have applied for an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before their departure to Canada.
Exceptions to this include citizens of the United States, who do not require a TRV or an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), and Green Card holders in the United States, who need an eTA to come to Canada, irrespective of their nationality.
Applying for Canada eTA Online
Individuals applying for an eTA to visit Canada must fill out personal information and answer a few basic questions relating to criminality or medical issues. To complete the online form, you need:
- A valid passport from a visa-exempt country.
- A credit card to pay the $7.00 application fee.
- A valid email address.
- Access to the internet.
The eTA will be valid for five years from the day on which it is issued to the applicant or until the earliest of the following days if they occur before the end of that period:
- The day on which your passport or other travel document expires.
- The day your electronic travel authorization is canceled.
- The day a new electronic travel authorization is issued to you.
The eTA will include the applicant’s name, date and place of birth, gender, address, nationality, passport, and travel document information. Suppose the applicant cannot make the application using the electronic system because of a physical or mental disability. In that case, it may be made by another means, including a paper application form.
eTA Exemptions
The following are exempt from obtaining an eTA:
- Those who have already obtained a valid visa to enter Canada.
- Anyone entering by land or sea.
- Armed Forces that are visiting Canada on official duty.
- Flight crew, civil aviation inspectors, and accident investigators visiting Canada on official duty.
- French citizens who live in and are traveling from St. Pierre and Miquelon
- Persons entering from the U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon while having a valid status in Canada (visitor, student, or worker).
- Accredited diplomats.
- Canadian citizens and dual citizens (provided you are traveling on a Canadian passport)
- Canadian permanent residents (you need your P.R. card or point of entry documentation)
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
- Foreign nationals who transit through a Canadian airport under the Transit Without Visa or China Transit programs
Transit Without Visa Program
If you fly through Canada to or from the U.S., you may not require an eTA. Only travelers from certain countries traveling with participating airlines and through participating Canadian airports are eligible.
China Transit Program
If you are a Chinese citizen flying through Canada to or from the U.S., you may not need an eTA. Only travelers with valid U.S. visas traveling with participating airlines and through participating Canadian airports are qualified.
Which Countries are Eligible for Canada eTA?
Citizens of some countries qualify for an eTA if they meet all three of the following conditions. If not, they must obtain a TRV to travel to Canada.
These travelers must:
- Have held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the past ten years or a valid United States nonimmigrant visa. Meanwhile, the United States nonimmigrant visa must be valid on the day the individual applies for their eTA, but it doesn’t need to be valid when traveling to Canada.
- Be coming to Canada for a short visit, business, or tourist activity (usually for stays of up to 6 months).
- Be arriving in Canada by air or transiting through a Canadian airport using a valid passport from one of the qualified visa-required countries.
These conditional eligibility rules for an eTA apply to citizens of the following (visa-required) countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Costa Rica
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Panama
- Philippines
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Seychelles
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uruguay
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to apply for an eTA each time I travel to Canada?
No. Once approved, your eTA is valid for five years or until your passport expires – whichever comes first. You can come to Canada as often as you wish if your eTA remains valid.
Who is a visa-exempt foreign national?
A visa-exempt foreign national is a person who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident and does not usually need a visa to enter Canada.
Do I need an eTA and a visitor visa?
No, you only need an eTA for visa-exempt travelers. Citizens of countries that are not currently visa-exempt countries who wish to enter Canada for a temporary purpose, such as tourists, temporary foreign workers (work permits), and international students (study permits), must apply for and be granted a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
The TRV is a document issued by a Canadian Immigration Visa Office outside Canada, showing that the holder has satisfied the requirements for admission to Canada as a visitor. Temporary Resident Visas may be for single entry or multiple entry.
I have U.S. permanent residency (Green Card). Do I need a visa or an eTA to visit Canada?
As a U.S. Green Card holder, you do not need a visitor visa (TRV) to travel to Canada. However, you need an eTA if you plan to fly to Canada.
When flying to Canada, you must present the following:
- Proof of status in the U.S. (such as a valid Green Card).
- The valid passport you used to apply for your eTA.
The Canadian border services officer will verify your eTA when you arrive in Canada. If you are traveling by land or sea directly from the U.S., you must only provide proof of your U.S. lawful permanent resident status (such as your Green Card).
How long does it take to receive authorization once the application is submitted?
Most eTA applications are approved within minutes of applying, though some requests may need more processing time. If this happens to your application, you can expect an email from I.R.C.C. within 72 hours informing you of your next steps.
What does an eTA look like?
Since an eTA is a digital document, it is electronically tied to your passport number. As such, you will not receive a physical document from the Government of Canada.
I received a new passport. Do I need to submit a new eTA application?
Your eTA is linked to your passport, so ensure you always carry your linked passport when coming to Canada by air. If you are required to have an eTA and receive a new passport, you must complete a new eTA application.
